Date of Award
9-30-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Biology, MS
First Advisor
Thomas Risch
Committee Members
Joseph Merritt; Than Boves; Virginie Rolland
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2016 S37
Abstract
Four bat species, 2 of special concern, the southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius), and Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and 2 threatened and endangered species may occur in one of Arkansas’ largest bottomland hardwood forests, the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge. However, inventory of bat species throughout the refuge is lacking and management plans may not be adequate in promoting the conservation of bats. My goal was to inventory the bats of the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge and determine roosting habits of the southeastern myotis and Rafinesque’s big-eared bat. During summers 2014 and 2015, surveys were conducted throughout the refuge. Six species, Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (35%), eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis, 24%), southeastern myotis (18%), evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis, 12%), tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus, 11%), and big-brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus, < 1%), were documented through mist-netting. Occupancy analysis of acoustic data suggests a different pattern of species presence, with tri-colored bats being the most dominant. Occupancy of Myotis bats was highest at cypress-tupelo tracts, whereas it was higher for big-brown bats in managed forests. Using radiotelemetry, 19 roost trees were found for the southeastern myotis and 20 for Rafinesque’s big-eared bat. Southeastern myotis did not seem to have a strong preference for any of the measured roost tree characteristics, whereas Rafinesque’s big-eared bats selected for trees with higher diameter at breast height.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Schratz, Samuel Andrew, "Presence, Absence, and Roosting Ecology of the Southeastern Myotis and Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge" (2016). Student Theses and Dissertations. 659.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/659
